Stokes, Anderson and Rashid return for second Pakistan Test

Having conceded the first Test to Pakistan at Lord’s on Sunday (July 17), England will be boosted in their quest for series parity at Old Trafford, as James Anderson, the fast-bowling spearhead, all-rounder Ben Stokes and leg spinner Adil Rashid have been added to the ranks for the second Test, which begins on July 22.

Anderson and Stokes had missed the bus for the first game by a whisker due to fitness issues but performed at full tilt for their county sides Lancashire and Durham respectively. Rashid’s inclusion perhaps stems from Yasir Shah’s success in the first game, and could tempt the England think-tank to pick him ahead of Moeen Ali, on a traditionally dry surface in Manchester.

Toby-Roland Jones, the Middlesex pacer who was part of the squad for the first Test, will join up with the England Lions for the tri-series involving A teams of Sri Lanka and Pakistan.